What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infectible
Example
The patient's weakened immune system made them more infectible. [infectible: adjective]
Example
The virus can survive on infectible surfaces for up to 72 hours. [infectible: adjective]
contagious
Example
The flu is highly contagious and can easily spread from person to person. [contagious: adjective]
Example
She stayed home from work because she didn't want to risk spreading her contagious illness to her coworkers. [contagious: adjective]
Example
Laughter is contagious and can quickly spread throughout a room. [contagious: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contagious is more commonly used than infectible in everyday language. Contagious is a versatile word that covers a wide range of contexts, while infectible is less common and more technical in nature.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infectible and contagious?
Infectible is a more formal word than contagious. It is often used in medical or scientific contexts, while contagious can be used in both formal and informal settings.
